While having four mates at your side can’t hurt, you don’t need to be in a boy band to cross over from the U.K. to the United States and make a name for yourself in the music industry. Olly Murs did it as a solo act ― well, with a touch of help from a British boy band you may have heard of.

Thanks to Walmart Risers, the former X-Factor contestant sat down for a chat with us about what it was like to tour with One Direction ― and the ear ache that comes along with that honor!